Coffee is not just a product or a consumable that quickly moves through our system. It’s an experience. A lifestyle. A vital part of our daily routine and the buzzing sensation running through our veins.

At least this is what I was telling my husband while we were driving home from enjoying $7 lattes from a local coffee shop.

I passionately explained to him that it’s not just hot water and ground up espresso beans mixed with steamed ground-up almonds blended with water. It’s an experience.

It’s the joy I feel from holding a cup in my hand. The companionship as it sits on my desk watching me type away while my astigmatism worsens.

It’s the extra second it gives me to formulate a response while taking a sip during one of those tense meetings in my previous corporate job where my coworkers loved to engage in raucous debates to pass the time.

It’s how much I look forward to sitting at home on weekend mornings and drinking a cup of coffee with my husband.

It’s an experiential beverage.

Price Almost Doesn’t Matter

However, the cup of coffee doesn’t have to be $7 to fall under the “experiential beverage” category.

Some of my favorite cups of coffee were 0.50 lev and dispensed from a vending machine. (This translates to about 25 cents based on today’s conversion rate.) The best part of that experience was counting out your change from your coin purse, dropping it in the slot, and watching that beautiful blue cup drop down. The finishing move was the branded stir stick that also plopped down from above.

Do I love my $7 latte? Yes, I do. I love that I’m supporting a local business that’s just one town over from me. I love that it’s situated next to a locally-owned bookstore. And most importantly, I love the actual flavor of their coffee and syrups.

And when I want to have a quick and easy cup at almost any hour of the day, no matter how unholy the hour, I know my faithful Tim Hortons will always be there for me. I have my loyal relationships with specific coffee shops, and they serve me well–regardless of price.

The Importance of Packaging

One of the determining factors for becoming an experiential beverage is the packaging that it’s delivered in. The cup itself matters just as much as the beverage that’s inside.

Is the cup too big? Too small? Does the lid leak despite being fully on? Did the lid pop off in your car and spill everywhere, all over your seats and center console, never to be clean again?

The experience matters.

Whether it’s a branded stir stick, a perfectly sized cup, or a flip-top lid, there are so many ways to elevate the customer experience through the way you present your product.

It doesn’t matter whether I’m spending 25 cents or $7, I know my experiential beverage will always be there for me.

Tell Your Brand’s Experiential Story

I’m here to help you tell the story of how your brand provides a transcendent customer experience. Fill out my contact form and I’ll be in touch.